Five Favorites for Friday

1. Ada the Terminata
So, they don't allow you to copy any pictures off of The Biggest Loser site, but I'm sure you all know who I'm talking about. Ada won third place in The Biggest Loser competition. She was amazing. She had a lot of issues with her parents, but ended up being the most giving, considerate, selfless person AND the most hard-working and dedicated person. She was a machine, it was awesome to watch. And while she didn't win (Patrick won and I was so happy about that!), she definitely became America's sweetheart.

2. Large Dog Breeds
Meet Tovan (below). He is a Saint Bernard mix available for foster or adoption in Seattle. I *love* him and sent his picture and story to Joe with the subject line: "Can we foster (then adopt) this guy?" I am just obsessed right now with adding a big dog to the family. I think we should have one of each size - wouldn't that be adorable? It's good that I have a level-headed husband who reminds me that we have a tiny apartment, no yard, and no extra time to dedicate to a new dog. But someday.... (If you want to foster or adopt him, though, visit his Petfinder site!)


3. Pink
I'm not a big music person. I'm not the type of girl who loves going to concerts or freaks out about musicians. I like listening to music, I like dancing, but music usually doesn't make a huge impact in my life. But I *love* Pink. She has helped me through many a bad break-up and now that I'm happliy married and in love, I still love her crank-the-volume, dance-in-your-car, scream-out-the-lyrics songs. She rocks.

4. Flash Mobs

They are popping up everywhere! There was even one recently in Seattle that made Yahoo's front page. I have yet to see one in person, but I love the whole idea of it all. You're standing there minding your own business, and all of a sudden all these strangers around you break into song or dance. How cool would that be to experience?

5. Unconventional Christmas Songs

Oh wait, this was on last week's list as well! But I heard a few others this week and had to share.

First, The Maine's "Santa Stole My Girlfriend". It's this nice, slow, pretty song and then all of a sudden, they call Santa a bitch. Hilarious.

Next, did you know Gaga released a Christmas song? Yep!


So, do we share any favorites this week?

Five Favorites For Friday

Okay, so it turns out that all my five things this week are related to Christmas. Go figure.

1. Kitty & Canine Holiday Blogger Gift Exchange
Joe and Ava signed up for this a few weeks ago, and they got paired with two sweet dogs in Indianapolis, Indiana! They sent their matches their gifts a couple days ago, and look forward to seeing what comes in the mail in the next week or so.

2. Snowflake Lane
You read about my first trip to Snowflake Lane with my parents. Joe and I plan to go a couple more times before it ends. It's just so much fun and such good energy. Everyone is so happy and singing along with the Christmas songs... and it's so fun watching the kids, who are just in awe of everything. We love it!

3. Christmas Tree on Top of the Space Needle
They put it up the day after Thanksgiving and it looks so cool. Every night when I drive home in the dark, it lights up the city skyline as I drive past and always makes me smile.

4. Traditional Christmas Songs

I have the "All I Want For Christmas is You" station set up on Pandora and I love listening to all the songs and thinking how 99% of people in the world know the lyrics to them. They are classic and just make Christmas. My favorites are It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, White Christmas, Winter Wonderland, Sleigh Ride.... okay, I love them all!

5. Unconventional Christmas Songs

You know, like Adam Sandler's "Hanukkah", The Waitresses' "Christmas Wrapping", and "Grandma Got Run Over by a Raindeer". I always find myself cranking the volume and signing at the top of my lungs when these come on. Below is a new one I just discovered by Simple Plan called "Christmas List."

Here are some the lyrics, because I think they are hilarious:

"Santa is coming tonight and I want a car, and I want a life, and I want a first class trip to Hawaii. I want a lifetime supply of skittles & slurpees and Eskimo pies. I want a DVD, a big screen TV."
"I want a girl in my bed who knows what to do, and a PlayStation 2. I want a shopping spree in New York City!"

haha, too funny.

What are your favorite things this week?

Five Favorites for Friday

I've decided to start a little weekly blog thing called "Five Favorites for Friday". Every Friday I'll post five of my favorite things. I figure it'll be a good way for you all to get to know me a little better. Let's see if I can remember to actually do this every Friday! (Get-to-know-Heather Fact #1 - I'm forgetful.)

1. The Starbucks Red Cup
I don't know what I love more - Starbucks coffee or the red cup it comes in this time of year. I get very excited for Christmas and the red cup is just one of the many things that reminds me that the holidays are upon us. It just makes me happy. I also love the fact that Starbucks brings out their peppermint flavoring this time of year. A peppermint soy latte just tastes like Christmas.

2. Sparkling Water
I have always thought that sparkling water was for those uppity people that thought they were too good for regular water. I remember going to Europe for the first time and the waiters always asked if we wanted water 'with or without bubbles' and my family and I would laugh and request it without. But when I was on my honeymoon, I drank a lot one night and was sick of alcohol after that. I ordered sparkling water on a whim and loved it. I've been buying it ever since.

3. Gold Class Cinemas at Redmond Town Center
Joe and I discovered this gem one day when we were trying to find a place to take his nephew to see a movie. We weren't allowed in because it was for 21+ only. So we made a point to go back ourselves a couple weeks ago and oh.my.god it has changed the movie watching experience forever. You sit it huge comfy recliners and waiters serve you alcohol and real food. I honestly can't think of a better way to watch a movie, unless you actually had a theater in your own home.

4. Christmas Lights

I usually hate the fact that it gets dark so early in the Winter. But during the Christmas season, it's actually kind of cool because as I'm driving home in the dark I get to see all the beautiful lights on people's houses. They make the street glow and no matter what kind of day I've had, they always make me smile. I can't wait to get lights for our own deck!

5. Wedding Photos
I know, I promise to post some wedding photos soon. It's just that I'm being selfish and exploring them slowly and repeatedly on my own before picking the ones to share on here. But I will say that I absolutely adore the photos I received from our photographer. They turned out beautifully, even though she didn't have a whole lot to work with (we were forced to take most of our photos in the lobby of our hotel). I'm seriously so thankful to her, and for my cousin (a bridesmaid) for recommending her and getting her to give us a deal. :)

What are your favorite things this week?